74 STRANGLES. 



coming forward, it should not be suffered to take its 

 natural course. No good could accrue did we let the 

 pus increase, and by pressure cause absorption of the 

 skin, leaving an ulcer which, when healed, might 

 establish a permanent blemish; and such probably 

 would be the result of the spontaneous bursting of 

 the abscess. As soon, therefore, as a tolerable quan- 

 tity of fluid can be detected, by its fluctuating under 

 the pressure of the fingers, or the skin begins to be 

 prominent and soft in some part of the swelling, the 

 knife should be used. The incision should be of a 

 fair size, proportioned to the magnitude of the en- 

 largement ; that all the pus may escape and the 

 orifice be in no danger of closing before the matter 

 is discharged. There should be no squeezing of the 

 tumour, in order to force out the fluid; and the nasty 

 practice of inserting the finger and raking it about 

 should never be indulged. The abscess having been 

 opened, Nature has been placed in a position to heal 

 the parts, and all that is necessary, is to bathe the 

 wound occasionally with the chloride of zinc lotion, 

 to promote cleanliness and assist the restorative en- 

 deavour of Nature. 



The horse will usually begin to mend as soon as the 

 abscess is opened; yet the owner must not be in too 

 great haste to open it. The matter should be suffered 

 evidently, and in some quantity, to form. If the 

 tumour be opened prior to this, the suppuration will 

 be delayed, and in some cases, altogether prevented: 

 the horse will then linger on, neither sick nor well, 

 for a long time; he will never after thrive so 

 thoroughly as when, by a copious discharge from 



